The Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has named Boskydel Vineyard of Lake Leelanau its Business of the Year.

The chamber will present owner and winemaker Bernie Rink with the award at the chamber’s annual dinner this Thursday, October 20 at Bluebird Restaurant in Leland. The event begins at 6pm with cocktails, followed by a buffet dinner at 7pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Scott Tucker. Tickets are $50; reservations can be made by email or by phone (231) 994-2202 by end of business day today (Monday).

The award for Boskydel Vineyard comes during the 40th anniversary year of the opening of the winery's tasting toom. Rink, considered the founder of northern Michigan's wine region, is accepting the award two days before his 90th birthday. In 1964, Rink planted 10 vines each of more than 30 varietals in a test vineyard, followed by a planting of 15 acres in 1970. This vineyard hosted the best six varieties from Rink's test plot, which became the region's first commercial planting of wine grapes. In 1976, Boskydel Vineyard became Leelanau’s first bonded winery and tasting room. Rink has continued to produce the same varieties at Boskydel Vineyard for the past four decades.